COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs and No. 20 Fort Lewis tied 15 times and changed the lead 10 times, but the Skyhawks (13-3, 8-2 RMAC) held off the Mountain Lions (5-9, 4-5 RMAC) in the 83-79 decision tonight in the Gallogly Events Center. Brandon Malone led the offense for UCCS with a career-high 20 points.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half and the largest lead either team could build was eight points by the nationally-ranked Skyhawks with 12 minutes to play. UCCS rallied and tied the game at 59-59 on a jumper from Blend Avdili with 7:33 to play, and kept it a one-point game at 62-61 after a layup from Malone at the 6:24 mark.

The Mountain Lions used three-pointers on back-to-back possessions from Justin Smith and Geoff Kelly to turn a six-point deficit into two at 75-73 with 1:22 to play, and Kelly tied the game at 75-75 on a layup 30 seconds later. UCCS didn't need to immediately foul, but Fort Lewis was able to draw a foul with 28 seconds to play to retake the advantage. The Skyhawks finished eight-of-eight at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to secure the four-point win, their fourth conference game decided by five points or less this season.

Malone went seven-of-11 from the field, and scored four points in the final minute. TreShawn Wilford scored 17 and tied for the team-high of eight rebounds with Smith. Smith scored 10 points and Elijah Ross rounded out the scoring leaders with 12 points and six assists.

The Mountain Lions will return to the road for the first time in a month with a game Friday, Jan. 13, at New Mexico Highlands. The Cowboys (6-8, 4-5 RMAC) won both of their games this weekend in South Dakota by double-digit margins.